WRITING LESSON: Expanding by Adding Verbal Phrases to a Sentence Base, including Participles and Participial Phrases.
PART - S – V
S – PART - V
S – V – DO - PART
DEFINITION
A verbal is a word that is made from a verb, has the power of a verb, but acts as another part of speech. Like a verb, a verbal may take an object, a modifier, and sometimes a subject, but unlike a verb, a verbal functions as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. A verbal phrase is the verbal and all words directly associated with it.
There are three types of verbals: participles, gerunds, and infinitives.
DEFINITION
A participle is a word that’s made from a verb and ends in either -ing or -ed. A participle functions as an adjective but also retains some of the characteristics of a verb. It might be thought of as a "verbal adjective".
Examples:
"The students writing essays are very tired." (The participle "writing" acts like an adjective by modifying "students". Which students are we talking about in this sentence? The students writing essays. "Writing" also acts like a verb because it has a direct object -- "essays". Also, “writing” is made from the verb “write”, which fulfills one of the definitions of a participle .)
"The binders full of polished essays are proof of their hard work." ("Polished" functions as an adjective by modifying "essays'.)
More Examples:
| Removing her coat, Asia rushed to the river. | The participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying Asia. |
| Joseph noticed an elephant walking along the shoreline. | The participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying elephant. |
| Children introduced to music early develop strong intellectual skills. | The participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying children. |
| Having been an Olympic star, Morgan knew the importance of exercise. | The participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying Morgan. |
Exercise on Participles:
Underline the participial phrase(s) in each of the following sentences, and draw a line to the noun or pronoun modified.
1. Getting up at five, Madeline and her friends got an early start.
2. Facing college standards, the students realized that they hadn't worked hard enough in high school.
3. Statistics reported by the National Education Association revealed that seventy percent of American colleges offer remedial English classes emphasizing composition.
4. Julia's gold Mercedes gathered speed quickly.
5. Gathering her courage, Lily asked for an extension on the assignment.
In each of the following sentences, underline the participial phrase(s), draw a line to the word(s) modified, and punctuate the sentence correctly. Remember that some sentences may not need punctuation.
6. Starting out as an army officer Julia was frequently transferred.
7. Joseph showing more bravery than wisdom invited thirty boys and girls to a party.
8. Madeline left in charge of the class was able to keep perfect order.
9. Applicants must investigate various colleges learning as much as possible about them before applying for admission.
10. Asia angered by the bully raised her fists and began to fight.
